Waltz ripple
A ripple of three notes in three-time. One of the broken chord patterns.
How to play it
Find the notes
Put your left hand over a C chord. You need low C (little finger, 5), G (index finger, 2) and high C (thumb, 1).
Count and play
Count "1 & 2 & 3 &" (say "and" for &). Play low C on 1, then G on 1&, then high C on 2 and hold it.
Move it with the chords
When the chord changes to G, the same rhythm moves to the notes of G: low G, D and high G. Play it slowly over the chord loop above, at 60% speed first, then faster.
Songs that use it
Questions
What is Waltz ripple on piano?
A ripple of three notes in three-time. Chord tones one at a time, within an octave. Musicians call it broken chord 1-5-8 (3/4).
Is Waltz ripple hard to play?
It is a beginner pattern. Play it with your left hand alone at 60% speed until it feels steady, then add the other hand.
Which songs use Waltz ripple?
Für Elise by Ludwig van Beethoven, Touch The Sky by Julie Fowlis and Fur Elise by Ludwig van Beethoven use Waltz ripple. The songs on this page all use it in the left hand, the most played first.